US President George W Bush's re-election could herald a new look
for his administration, with expectations that he will reshuffle
his cabinet while maintaining enough continuity to tackle his
priorities: Iraq and the war on terror.

The biggest change could be in his diplomatic team, with
Secretary of State Colin Powell, 67, widely tipped to leave his
post.

Powell was known to have strong differences with Bush on key
areas of foreign policy and was often seen as being cut out of some
major decision making, having come off worse in a battle with the
Pentagon for influence with the president's inner circle.

A possible successor to Powell is John Danforth, the US
ambassador to the United Nations, whose name has frequently been
linked with the job, even though he was appointed to his current
post just a few months ago.

Danforth, 68, is a conservative known for his diplomatic skills.
He would likely exert a moderate line, essential to smoothing over
cracks in international partnerships because of the Iraq war.

Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, 72, is not expected to last
through a second Bush administration, although observers say he may
well remain at the Pentagon helm for another year in the hope of
overseeing some amelioration of the situation in Iraq.

Bush backed Rumsfeld amid calls for the secretary's resignation
in the wake of the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal.

One possible replacement is Bush's national security adviser,
Condoleeza Rice -- a move that would make her the first woman to
run the Pentagon. She has also been linked with the Secretary of
State post.

Rice, 49, has indicated that she would like to give up her
current job and has even hinted at leaving the administration
entirely in favour of a return to university life. Her successor as
national security adviser would likely be her deputy, Steve Hadley,
54, with the architect of the Iraq war, Deputy Defence Secretary
Paul Wolfowitz, another possible candidate.

On the domestic front, John Snow, 65, is expected to stay on as
secretary of the treasury, as Bush's priority in his second term
will be to make his tax cuts permanent and to reform the US tax
code.

At the Justice Department, John Ashcroft, 62, appointed to
please the Republican Party's right wing, is widely expected to
depart.

His replacement could be Tom Ridge, 59, the Homeland Security
Secretary, or Rudolph Giuliani, 60, the New York City mayor at the
time of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Giuliani could also replace Ridge if he moves to the Justice
Department or returns to private life. Other possible scenarios
include Bush replacing Ashcroft with Marc Racicot, 56, who directed
his victorious re-election campaign, or Massachusetts Governor Mitt
Romney, 57.

US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick is a possible
replacement for Commerce Secretary Donald Evans, although there is
speculation that he might return to private life.

Evans, a close friend of Bush, could also be replaced by one of
his deputies, Peter Allgeier or Josette Sheeran Shiner, or by his
undersecretary for international affairs, Grant Aldonas.

Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, a Democrat, and
Education Secretary Rod Paige are expected to leave their posts, as
is Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, who could hand his spot to
Labor Secretary Elaine Chao.